Pick-up device



Oct. l, 1963 v 1 P. HAPP '3,105,715

PICK-UP DEVICE Filed April 25, 1960 20 22 INVENTOR.

' BY A @Www/zaga United States Patent O 3,105,715 PICK-UP DEVHCE Leo P.Happ, 602 Meadow Drive, Glenview, Ill. Fiied Apr. 25, 196i), Ser. No.24,533 4 Claims. (Cl. 294-61) This invention relates to a device forpicking up litter such as paper, trash and other debris and securelyholding such matter until 4it is desired that it be placed inreceptacles or otherwise disposed of. More particularly, the device isof a type having an impaler for piercmg paper and other easilypenetrable objects and having an associated arcuate linger pivotablymounted on the shank of said device movable relative to said impaler forthe purposes of picking up and gripping objects which are diicult topenetrate due to the hard surface underlying such objects or due to thehardness of the material of which said objects are constructed.

The pick-up device of the present invention is especially useful forretrieving objects such as bottles, or the like, which are not readilypierceable by the impaler. The present invention not only provides animpaler for piercing paper and other penetrable objects, but in additionthereto, provides an associated arcuate iinger having an intermediatecurved portion forming a bulge for coacting with `the irnpaler inretaining the objects picked up in a secure manner. The action of saidlinger with said impaler is much the same as that of a inger moveablerelative the thumb of `a human hand for the purposes of picking up andgripping objects.

The improved pick-up device of the present invention being cane-like inconstruction permits objects to be picked up without any bendingmovement required on the part of the operator, so that it is especiallyuseful for people who are unable to bend freely for the purpose ofpicking up objects.

The invention will now be described in conjunction with the attacheddrawings in which:

FIG. l is a side-elevational view of the pick-up device in its normaloperating position for impalingpenetrable objects as shown with theassociated arcuate finger in the normally open position relative theirnpaler.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged drawing of the pick-up device showing `the lowerportion in a closed gripping position picking up and retaining an objectof litter, the shank being broken for the convenience of theenlargement, the pull-rod being in a retracted position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the lower portion showing, in detail, theimpaler and associated arcuate finger with serrations thereon.

FIG. 4 is another embodiment of the present invention with the impalerbeing replaced by a double-pronged spading head, the drawing being yofthe lower portion of the device -and partly broken away to show the headin assembly with the shank of the device.

Now referring to the drawings, and specifically to FIG. l thereof, thepick-up device of the present invention has extending from an arcuatehandle 11, an elongated shank 12, which terminates in a removablyattached, axially aligned, spicate irnpaler 13 having a pointed end forpiercing paper and other easily penetrable objects. The associatedarcuate finger 14 as shown in FIG. l is biased in a normally openposition relative to the impaler 13, in which position the ringer 14does not interfere with the piercing action of the impaler 13 for use inpicking up easily penetrable objects.

The associated arcuate linger 14 is pivotable about pivot pin 15 on theshank 12, and moveable relative the impaler 13 in a direction as shownby the arrow.

In addition to the bulge portion in the iinger 14, the terminal portion22 is bent as shown in FIGS. l and 2 to 3,195,715. Patented Oct. l, 1953 ICC provide a gripping surface thereon, which is substantiallyparallel to the sloping surface of the impaler 13 when in a grippingrelationship therewith and provides a substantial gripping surface onboth sides of the object being picked up. The closer the grippingassociation between the linger terminal portion 22 with the impaler 13the more parallel are the gripping surfaces, so that thinner objects`such as scraps of paper and the like are capable of being picked up andwhen ythe surface of the terminal portion 22 and Ithe impaler 13 are incontact, the contacting sloping surfaces of the impaler 13 and theterminal portion 22 are parallel.

The shank portion 23 of the iinger 14 is pivotably mounted in the shank12 through the elongated slots 24 and 25 provided in the shank for thatpurpose. A pullrod 16 is slidably mounted in guide means 18, which issecurely attached to the shank 12, said guide means 18 having an openingthrough which the pull-rod 16 is permitted to slide upon being retractedby hand pressure applied thereto and through which it slides upon beingrelieved of the pressure. The pull-rod 16l is spring biased by acompression spring 17 to maintain the associated iinger y14 in thenormally open position to permit the impaler to be used for piercing andpicking up paper, trash or other debris which lis easily penetrable.When fthe pull-rod 16 is retracted as shown in FIG. 2, the associatedarcuate linger 14 will be in the gripping position relative the impaler13 and be capable of retaining hard surfaced objects such as the objectof litter 26.

The operation of the present pick-up device 10 is such that .the springmeans 17 biases the pull-rod '16 in a downwardly direction so that theassociated arcuate finger 14 remains in its normally open position. Theringer 14 pivots about pivot pin 19 of the clevis member 27 attached tothe lower end of the pull-rod 16- and, simultaneously therewith pivotsabout pivot point 15 on the shank 12. The shank portion 23 of the finger14 is stradled by the clevis member 27. Upon the application of handpressure to the handle of the pull-rod 16, the rod is retracted towardthe handle 11 of the cane-like pick-up device, causing the spring 17 tobe compressed and the finger 14 to be pivoted about the pivot pin 19 ofthe clevis member 27 attached to the pull-rod and pivot pin 15 of theshank 12, thereby causing the arcuate inger 14 to move in an arc towardthe impaler 13 and into a gripping position therewith for the purposesof picking up objects which are not readily penetrable and for securelyholding said objects in a manner as such objects would be held by afinger coacting with the thumb of a human hand. The associated fingerK14 is provided with serrations 20 Aas shown in FIG. 3 to permit a morepositive gripping action to occur.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention with theimpaler 13 being replaced =by ya doublepronged -spading head 21 which isespecially useful for digging up plants such as dandelions or the like,wherein the spading head is inserted into the gnound beneath the plantto be dug up, thereby severing the root of said plant. When this hasbeen accomplished, the associated arcuate finger 14 is selectivelydr-a-wn toward the spading head `so as to grip the plant, permitting itsremoval from the ground.

The pick-np device of the present invention is preferably constructed oflightweight metals except for the impaler and the spading head whichIare constructed of heavier metal which can endure the heavier usage towhich they are to be put.

There are several attachments which are to be utilized with the present`device and it is intended that they be so used. One such attachment isa pair of scoops which are designed to be slidably attached, one ontothe ini-palet 3 .and the other onto the arcuate finger for the purposeof picking up soft trash or debris which would normally crumble underthe gripping action of the arcuate linger and impaler.

Various changes and modifications ofthe present invention can 'be madeand to the extent that such variations incorporate the operation of thisinvention, they are intended to be included within the scope o thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A pick-up device comprising an elongated shank having a handle at oneend thereof and a spicate impaler at the -other end thereof, saidimpaler having a tapered yfree end portion with a generallylslopingsurface which terminates in a pointed end, guide means attached to saidelongated shank intermediate said handle and said spicate impaler, apullerod mounted in and guided by said guide means, said pull-rod havinga handle at one end thereof adjacent said handle of said shank andcoacting therewith to permit manual manipulation of said pull-rod, aiinger including an arcuate portion and a terminal portion, said fingerpivotally mounted on said shank adjacent said Ispioate impaler, `springmeans for biasing said finger into a normally open position away fromsaid sloping surface of said impaler, means for coupling said pull-rodto said nger, said terminal portion extending along and substantiallyparallel to said sloping surface of said impaler, being adapted tocontact said sloping surface along the length of said terminal portionwhen said iinger is in the normally closed position and terminatingcoextensively with the sharp pointed end of said impaler whereby thinobjects such as scraps of paper and the like are capable of Abeingpicked up when the terminal portion of the finger and the sharp pointedend of the impaler are in contact.

2. A pick-up device comprising an elongated shank having a handle at oneend thereof and a Aspieate impaler at the [other end thereof, saidimpaler having a tapered free end portion with a generally slopingsurface which terminates in a pointed end, guide means attached to saidelongated shank intermediate said handle and said spicate impaler, apull rod mounted in vand guided by said guide means, said pull-rodhaving a handle `at one end thereofV adjacent said handle of said shankand coacting therewith to permit manual manipulation of said pull-rod, alinger including an arcuate portion and a terminal portion, said fingerpivotally mounted on said shank adjacent said spicate impaler, means forcoupling said pullrod to said dinger, stop means on said pull-rod spacedfrom said guide means, spring means encircling said pull-rod anddisposed Ibetween said gui-de means 'and said stop means for biasingsaid linger into a normally open position away from said sloping surfaceof said impaler, said terminal portion extending along and substantiallyparallel to said sloping surface of said impaler, being Iadapted tocontact said sloping surface along the length of said terminal portionwhen said linger is in the normally closed position and terminatingcoextensively with .the sharp pointed end of said impaler whereby thinobjects such as scraps of paper and the lik-e are capable of beingpicked up -When the terminal portion of the finger and the sharp pointedend of the irnpaler are in Contact.

3. The invention defined in claim 2, said terminal portion havingsenrations to provide positive gripping actionV between said finger andsai-d sloping surface of said impaler.

4. The invention defined in claim 2, wherein said coupling meansincludes a clevis member. Y

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,061,175 Guy et al. May 6, 1913 1,521,524 Fuller Dec. 30, 19241,751,481 La Tourrette Mar. 25, 1930 2,029,155 Cervenka et al Jan. 28,1936 2,191,858 Moore Feb. 27, 1940 2,373,872 Couture Apr. 17,19452,436,500 Anderson Feb. 24, 1948 2,493,108 Casey Ian. 3, 1950. 2,523,661Lotz Sept. 26, 1950 2,575,561 P-ayne Nov. 20, 1951 2,610,886 ParkerSept. 16, 1952 2,612,400 Facio Sept. 30, 1952 2,759,758 Yancey Aug. 21,1956 2,790,670 Sheets Apr. 30, 1957. 2,806,733 Hund Sept. 17, 19572,905,498 Lunde Sept. 22, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS Y 21,014 Great BritainSept. 14, 1909

1. A PICK-UP DEVICE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED SHANK HAVING A HANDLE AT ONEEND THEREOF AND A SPICATE IMPALER AT THE OTHER END THEREOF, SAID IMPALERHAVING A TAPERED FREE END PORTION WITH A GENERALLY SLOPING SURFACE WHICHTERMINATES IN A POINTED END, GUIDE MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID ELONGATEDSHANK INTERMEDIATE SAID HANDLE AND SAID SPICATE IMPALER, A PULL-RODMOUNTED IN AND GUIDED BY SAID GUIDE MEANS, SAID PULL-ROD HAVING A HANDLEAT ONE END THEREOF ADJACENT SAID HANDLE OF SAID SHANK AND COACTINGTHEREWITH TO PERMIT MANUAL MANIPULATION OF SAID PULL-ROD, A FINGERINCLUDING AN ARCUATE PORTION AND A TERMINAL PORTION, SAID FINGERPIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID SHANK ADJACENT SAID SPICATE IMPALER, SPRINGMEANS FOR BIASING SAID FINGER INTO A NORMALLY OPEN POSITION AWAY FROMSAID SLOPING SURFACE OF SAID IMPALER, MEANS FOR COUPLING SAID PULL-RODTO SAID FINGER, SAID TERMINAL PORTION EXTENDING ALONG AND SUBSTANTIALLYPARALLEL TO SAID SLOPING SURFACE OF SAID IMPALER, BEING ADAPTED TOCONTACT SAID SLOPING SURFACE ALONG THE LENGTH OF SAID TERMINAL PORTIONWHEN SAID FINGER IS IN THE NORMALLY CLOSED POSITION AND TERMINATINGCOEXTENSIVELY WITH THE SHARP POINTED END OF SAID IMPALER WHEREBY THINOBJECTES SUCH AS SCRAPS OF PAPER AND THE LIKE ARE CAPABLE OF BEINGPICKED UP WHEN THE TERMINAL PORTION OF THE FINGER AND THE STRAP POINTEDEND OF THE IMPALER ARE IN CONTACT.